Board of Education grants five new charters

MALDEN - The Board of Education voted 6-to-1 on Tuesday to approve applications for five public charter schools to open over the next two years.

Education Commissioner David P. Driscoll lauded the founders of the five schools, and encouraged applicants whose proposals were not accepted this year to reapply in the future.

“I congratulate these five schools on successfully completing a long and arduous process,” he said. “We look forward to the start up of each school, and to the quality they will add to this state’s charter school initiative, which offers students and their families a valuable public education choice.”

The vote follows an unprecedented amount of comment from elected officials and members of public concerned about how charter schools are funded. Education Commissioner David P. Driscoll and Board Chairman James Peyser assured Board members at the meeting that they are working closely with Governor Romney’s office to ensure that from now on districts will receive at least some reimbursement when a charter school opens in their community.

The five schools that were granted charters are:

Berkshire Arts and Technology Charter School (regional)

Location:

North Adams

Fifth year number of students:

308

Fifth year grade levels:

6-12

Opening year:

2004

Mission: “The Berkshire Arts and Technology Charter School will integrate the study of arts and technology with core subjects to promote mastery of academic skills and content, prepare students for college, and graduate independent thinkers, dynamic workers and active citizens for life.”

Boston Preparatory Charter School

Location:

Boston

Fifth year number of students:

300

Fifth year grade levels:

6-11

Opening year:

2004

Mission: “The Boston Preparatory Charter School utilizes rigorous curriculum, extended academic time, and a range of supports for children and families to prepare 6-12 grade students to succeed in college.”

Excel Academy Charter School (regional)

Location:

Boston

Fifth year number of students:

300 (limited to 100 students from Boston)

Fifth year grade levels:

6-8

Opening year:

2003

Mission: “Excel Academy Charter School will prepare 6-8th grade students to succeed in high school and college, apply their learning to solve relevant problems, and engage productively in their communities.”

Hill View Montessori Charter School of Haverhill

Location:

Haverhill

Fifth year number of students:

243

Fifth year grade levels:

1-7

Opening year:

2004

Mission: “The mission of the Hill View Montessori Charter School is to provide a grade 1-8 public education that promotes academic excellence using the Montessori philosophy. In partnership with teachers and parents, children attain high levels of academic, personal and social achievement and so prepared, become constructive contributors to our community.”

Salem Academy Charter School

Location:

Salem

Fifth year number of students:

308

Fifth year grade levels:

6-12

Opening year:

2004

Mission: “The school’s mission is to educate the City of Salem’s diverse population. Through a unique integration of college preparatory classes with service to the community, the school will graduate informed, articulate and proactive individuals of strong character.”

The Legislature limits the amount of net school spending that can be transferred to Commonwealth charter schools for tuition payments to nine percent. Because the Boston public schools are quickly approaching this limit, all of the applicants seeking to establish schools in Boston this year were not granted, and enrollment at the two schools granted charters was limited.

The charter school statute allows for a total of 120 charter schools, 48 Horace Mann charters and 72 Commonwealth charters. Seven Horace Mann charter schools are in operation and 41 Horace Mann charters remain available. Forty-one Commonwealth charter schools are currently in operation, 6 are already chartered to open in the fall of 2003, and 25 Commonwealth charters remain available.